James Madison (42-17) beats Florida Atlantic (40-18) by a score of 11-7 in both teams' first games of the 2011 NCAA tournament in Chapel Hill at the North Carolina regional Friday afternoon.
James Madison starting pitcher DJ Brown picks up the victory after going 7.1 innings yielding just two earned runs on three hits while striking out five and walking two.
This game was all about offense. Florida Altantic blasted five home runs as a team and managed only seven runs on the day from those home runs. It was the six-run 7th inning for James Madison that led them to victory. James Madison batted completely through the lineup as reliever Jose Velazquez, who had just come in for starter RJ Fondon, gave up four hits and walked one before being pulled in the 7th. Six hits in all and one error led to the 6-run 7th inning that ultimately gave James Madison the victory.
The Stetson Hatters (41-18) get the walk-off win over the North Carolina State Wolfpack (34-25) 8-7 Friday afternoon in Columbia, South Carolina. Stetson's catcher, Nick Rickles hit the game-winner with one out in the 9th inning as Sean Emory scored from second base because of an error by the Wolfpack's left fielder. Emory was pinch running for Ben Carhart, who had singled to start the rally.
Every Stetson starter had at least one hit and they were led offensively by Mark Jones, who went 2-4 with four RBI's and a run scored. It was Jones' three-run blast in the 4th inning that brought the Hatters back into the game as they had trailed 5-0 before the two-out blast.
Seton Hall (33-23) beats Arizona (36-19) 4-0 Friday afternoon in College Station at the Texas A&M regional. Jon Prosinski throws a complete game six-hit shutout against Arizona to get the victory for Seton Hall. Prosinski struck out three and walked just one on the day.
It was the four-run 4th inning that gave Prosinski all the run support he would need in the game. Seton Hall started the 4th inning with three consecutive hits off of Arizona starter, Kurt Heyer. Giuseppe Papaccio drove in the first run of the game with the single to score Sean Gusrang from third base. Papaccio finished the game 2-5 with a run scored and an RBI. Gusrang went 2-4 with a run scored to help Seton Hall get the victory.
Kent State (43-15) wins in 11 innings against Texas State (40-21) by a score of 4-2 in the first extra inning game of the 2011 NCAA regionals.
Kent State got two runs in the top of the 11th as David Lyon drew a leadoff walk from Texas State reliever, Jeff McVaney to start the inning. Lyon advanced to 3rd base on a throwing error by the catcher as Lyon attempted to steal second base. Pinch-hitter Jason Bagoly singled to left-field to score Lyon and give Kent State the 3-2 lead and eventually the victory.
More games are under way all across the country for the 2011 NCAA baseball regionals. This is a double-elimination tournament that runs through Monday. Teams are trying to earn their spots in the 16 super regionals that will determine the 8 teams that head to Omaha for a chance at a National Championship.